The hem was above the ankle in quite a revealing way.
This was considered daring, but it was so created
To reveal the fancy footwork the crowd anticipated.
Undergarments were revealed , never viewed before,
And reasons were quite dubious when folk called out 'Encore!'

*

The cheaper seats were situated where the crowds still could not see

A full view of the dancer's feet, and her great ability.

And so they used to crane their necks and lean and twist and peer

Until the fancy footwork became absolutely clear.

Now peering under ladies' skirts was considered very rude;

And some remarks the patrons made were verging on the lewd.

The private parts of a baby girl are called 'cucu' in France

And now this word was used to name this aspect of the dance!

So shorter skirts were made so all the patrons had a view

Of the pirouettes and other things that ballet dancers do!
But the shorter skirts were dignified with row on row of tulle
So that footwork plus decorum at last became the rule.

*

But the vulgar name persisted, as it does right to this day!

Though they changed it into 'tutu' .... a much purer word to say!

Who would think a such a pretty word would have such a sordid past!

(I hope my ballet dancing friends aren't looking too aghast!)

*------------------------------------------------------------------

ROAD TO RUIN

He was a simple peasant and his hearing wasn't good.

He could neither read nor write, but he did the best he could.He set-up a stall by the roadside, selling this and that,

Tasty treats for passers-by who often stopped to chat.

He was always cheerful; his food was of the best;

His stall was decorated and the people were impressed.

He earned a steady income and all was going well.

People lined up for the tasty food that he was pleased to sell.

*

Now, his son was a modern fellow, and pretty brainy too.

He returned from University saying 'Dad, I've news for you.

You won't have heard about the banks and the awful state they're in.

Business is going down the drain! Where can I begin?

The world is in a bad way; everyone's going broke.

There's something called a Credit Crunch that's affecting working folk.

This is my daughter's little dog, Banjo, as he was a few days ago. He wasn't expected to live! The bandage on his paw covers the catheter that was put in for blood transfusions. I'm pleased to report he's now eating and actually looking as though he'll pull through. He was bitten by a snake.

12 comments:

First of all, I'm so glad Banjo is better! Always heartbreaking to lose a pet! Next, I love your "tutu" tale and I'm forwarding it to my daughter who danced with a ballet company for a number of years before she developed stress fractures in her feet. So, she had to settle for the tango, which I have pictured today. Hope your week is going well!

A lot of poesy today, Brenda. I'm always impressed, but today I'm impresseder.Interesting about the tutu, and the influence of the young fellow over his father, but I am also most concerned about Banjo and hope he recovers, poor sweetie. Blood transfusions are pretty serious, and snake bites are very scary.-- K

Poems are wonderful Brenda, but my heart is with poor Banjo, - we live in rattlesnake country and have had experiences with pets being bitten and being very sick, although none of them fatally. I am so glad Banjo is recovering, and I shall never see a TUTU without thinking of your Tale. And I will Never give in to despair!

Oh! I hope Banjo does pull through! He looks like such a sweetie.OK, I did not know of the sordid past of the tutu! Being a ballet dancer and all, I guess I should, but never thought to research it! Excellent!

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About Me

Born in England in 1931. Evacuated in World War 2. Trained as a teacher at Brighton Training College, Sussex. Taught in London. Moved to Zimbabwe. Seven years later worked on a mail ship. Married Malcolm in Capetown. Two children, Rebecca and Greg. Moved to Australia in 1974. After retirement worked for a publisher. Three grandsons, Blake, Harry and Max. Disabled by stroke in 2013. Now in wheelchair with husband as carer..